FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Senate committee will hear a bill on Thursday imposing new restrictions on abortion clinics in Kentucky similar to other laws around the country that have closed many facilities.

The hearing on Senate Bill 212 comes one day after the U.S. Supreme Court heard a challenge to a nearly identical Texas law that abortion rights supporters say forced the shutdown of about half that state's abortion clinics.

Sen. Albert Robinson, a London Republican and the bill's sponsor, said the Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee he chairs will hear the bill Thursday.

Supporters say such legislation is meant to better protect patients. But opponents says it serves the same purpose of similar bills in Texas and other states — to shut down clinics.

The bill would require abortion clinics to have facilities that qualify as surgical centers, a higher and more costly standard than currently required for clinics where abortions are provided. It also would require centers to obtain a state Certificate of Need, issued by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

And, as in other states, it would require any physicians performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital.

Kentucky currently has only one abortion provider, EMW Women's Surgical Center in Louisville.

Anne Ahola, director of the EMW clinic, said that facility already meets the proposed guidelines, including having two doctors on site with admitting privileges at local hospitals.

Planned Parenthood began offering abortions at its new downtown Louisville clinic in December but stopped amid a dispute with the administration of Gov. Matt Bevin over its license application.

Planned Parenthood did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether SB 212 would affect its clinic.

Derek Selznick, with the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, said the ACLU has been following the bill and would comment after the hearing.

A similar measure, House Bill 492, has been filed in the House.

SB 212 and HB 492 are among several abortion bills to come before the 2016 General Assembly.

One, Senate Bill 4, requiring women to have counseling 24 hours in advance of an abortion either in person or via teleconference, has passed both chambers and was signed into law by Bevin.

On Monday, the Senate passed Senate Bill 152, requiring that doctors perform an ultrasound and describe the image to women who are seeking an abortion. That bill now goes to the House.

Contact reporter Deborah Yetter at 502-582-4228 or at dyetter@courier-journal.com.